Pawan Khera Alleges Public Access to Election Documents Being Restricted, Demands Transparency
Senior Congress leader and spokesperson Pawan Khera has raised serious concerns about the availability and accessibility of election-related documents to the public, alleging that the central government is curbing transparency by limiting access to key records. Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, Khera specifically pointed to the difficulty citizens face in obtaining certified copies of Form 17C, which records the number of votes polled at each polling station.
Khera emphasized that free and open access to election documents is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. He asserted that denying such access raises doubts about the integrity of the electoral process and weakens public trust in democratic institutions.
“Transparency is the backbone of electoral democracy. If citizens are denied access to fundamental documents like Form 17C, it raises serious questions about the intention behind such restrictions,” Khera stated. He also claimed that multiple applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking election-related documents have either been delayed or rejected without proper explanation.
The Congress leader further accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of not taking a firm stand on ensuring public access to these documents. He called upon the ECI to proactively publish all relevant forms and data on its official website to prevent misinformation and to foster voter confidence.
In response to queries, Khera cited examples where candidates and election agents were unable to obtain polling station-wise data even days after voting concluded. He contended that the lack of timely data access leaves room for speculation and weakens the spirit of accountability.
Khera’s remarks come in the backdrop of heightened scrutiny of the electoral process by civil society groups, opposition parties, and watchdog organizations. Several public interest litigations (PILs) and RTI queries related to vote counting procedures, EVM data, and voter turnout records have been filed in recent months, indicating a growing demand for transparency.
He also urged the media to highlight the importance of document accessibility in upholding democratic values. “The issue is not about one party or another. It is about preserving the sanctity of elections in India. Everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, deserves to know how their vote was counted,” Khera added.
Reacting to Khera’s statements, government officials have yet to issue a formal response. However, sources close to the Election Commission have indicated that steps are being reviewed to streamline the availability of election-related data and enhance public communication.
As the electoral process remains under intense observation, the demand for greater openness and transparency is likely to persist, placing pressure on both the Election Commission and the government to act in a timely and responsible manner.
